Sheffield Wednesday: Number change works a charm for Bannan

The midfielder, looking to relaunch his career at Hillsborough, was asked by Chansiri to wear shirt number 41. Forty one is the Thai businessman’s lucky number - and it has so far brought Bannan plenty of good fortune.

The Scotland international has been a revelation in Wednesday’s midfield engine room, playing an instrumental role in their promotion push.

His outstanding club performances alerted his country, who handed him an international recall in March. And to cap off Bannan’s fine maiden season with the Owls, he was selected in the coveted PFA Championship Team of the Year last month.

“It says a lot about Barry as a player that he was named in the Team of the Year, but our team has performed well,” captain Glenn Loovens told The Star. “Barry’s work rate is phenomenal and he has been great for us this season, but if we hadn’t performed well as a team, we wouldn’t have anyone in the side.

“It’s a big cheer for everyone in the dressing room and I’m sure Barry would say the same.”

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Bannan, who has made 39 appearances for the Owls, is happy with how the shirt number change has worked out.

“In the chairman’s country, it (41) is a lucky number for him apparently,” said Bannan. “For me I was only 25 I think when I came because I had that at other places and I liked it.

“But the chairman wanted me to have 41 and he said it would be a lucky number for me - you’ll have to ask him - but it has been lucky so far.”

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